Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-03-04
doubtless to our discredit, but it is never
theless true, that we do not appreciate our

theleSs true, f0aG we 90 not appreciate Our
truly great men until their names hsve
been echoed 10 Us from across the sea
Things We value least in this great coun-
try Of ours, are most thought Of on the
other side OF the herring pond. We are
nothing il not practical, and We put the
discovered truth to some practical use,
though we are apt to forget its protector
J in thinking of the results. But we are on
] the right road after all. The characteristic
American question SIS there any money
in it, touches the keynote OF the cause
of cur wonderful progress. A great rule
discovered is much in itself, but the re-
! suits of it are greater.
| Spencer I. Baird is one Of The men who
have made the name of the republic in
the scientific circles OF the old world, but
| he has, perhaps, done greater work in
his own country in popCiaIiZirg science
| His name and his works are known in
every scientific society the world over.
He is native of Pennsylvania, and claims
| the beautiful little city of Carlisle, that
slumbers 50 peacefully in the natchless
/ Cumberland valley, as his home. In 1876
he graduated from Dickinson college,
as did also his elder brother vii
liam. The two boys Inherited
from their father love of nature
and out door pursuIts, and as earIy as
1926, they had made collection of the
game birds of Cumberland country. In
, the museum some OF these specimens
mounted forty yesrs ago are still pre-
served. Tne Inheritance OF d love Of
nature and taste for the study of natural
history was encouraged by the mother,
end for the five years succeeding his
graduation the young naturalist was left
to his own divices and plans, instead Of
being pashed at once into q profession.
When but eighteen years of age he made
pedestrian excursion through the
mountains Of Pennsylvania, walking 400
miles in twenty-one DAYS, making the last
day sixty miles between daylight
end rest. He has all his life been O
grest walker, and in all his expeditions
he has never ridden horse. Until few
years age, every summer found him
among the trees, or st the sea shore, or
on the rivers and creeks. For forty years
be has beer tireless collector of natural
history specimens, and he turns it all
over to the institute. Oae of his rules is
that no officer or employe of the institu
ton shall make g private collection. For
short time he was professor of natural
sciences al Dickinson College and here he
taught the seniors in physiology, the
sopnomores geometry and the freshmen
in geology. He found time, however, to
carry on the work begun in previous
years and during the vacation he made
extended tours. One year he walked
over 220O miles. On leaving home he
came to Washington live, and since
1850, or nearly thirty seven years, he mas
been connected with the Smithsonian H.
stitute. For the last nine years, OF since
the death of Professor Henry in 1878. he
has had entire executive CoGtrol Of the
wonderful establishment. He has seer
it grow from few small boxes of speci-
mems: % its present splendid proportions,
and in its building up he has had always
prominent part.
But we must go down to the Professors
workshop. You Will tlUd it in the base
ment, and truly it is busy place. There
is pot much furniture in the room, but
it is all in use by the busy occupant.
Here are q couple Of clerks and
stenographer, and scattered round about,
yet in the most perfect order, sre books
ard maus and drawings and castings
and models OF every description. The
Professor is great worker and he
utilZes every moment of the day. He
arises at !, and by 5 O'Clock he has had his
breakfast and is at his desk. For live hours